#TalkTips

Before every single talk I do my heart feels like it is trying to attack and kill me. Or at the very least, it's trying to escape my chest.

I'm terrified. Every. Time.

I've grown to feel some comfort in that feeling of the pre-talk heart attack. That feeling reminds me that I care how I do up there. As much as I know I will not engage and resonate with every single person in the audience, I want to. My pounding, racing heart reminds me that I care about the time the audience is giving me. I care that they feel like they got some value from my efforts.

My tip for today is for those who feel that heart-pounding horror.Try spinning the feeling of horror into something you trust. That pounding is a reminder that despite your best efforts, you care how this goes and your crazy little heart is giving you enough energy to share with every single person in that audience that wants to accept it.

*Credit for the phrasing *your heart will attack and kill you* goes to Norm MacDonald.